Hardlyrob

I marched Hurricanes in the late '80's and early '90's. It was two sometimes three years before I knew some of their "real" names. I'm guessing many of you will know some of these folks: Cupcakes; Igor; Roger Ohio; Tiny; Big Al; Derf (RIP); Tall Nancy; Pennsylvania; Loops; Feather (not really a nickname, but most thought it was); Pittsburgh; Limo; Ray Boy; Zipper head; Stevie no wonder; Rosie (guy); Midge; Feed me; ###hole; I'll think of others.

The reality is exactly the opposite - the members were super excited about the uniform change - kind of like kids at Christmas when they were getting fitted. The attitude of the members is through the roof right now - they know they have an impossible show, and they are performing it at a very high level. They certainly don't seem concerned about the competitive aspect - that's not what this summer is about for them. Learning, accomplishment and understanding what excellence really means is what they are all focused on. Given theur schedule, I don't think they have even seen a show from another corps - other than the last minute, standing on the track waiting to go on. We are all focused on competition, The Cadets are focused on being the best Cadets they can be.

Oh yeah, another comment - they won't go back to Maroon and Gold - those uniforms are in Allentown - there is no place to carry two sets of uniforms on the equipment truck. The YEA box truck took them all back from West Chester to Allentown on Thursday of last week.

I just got off tour with The Cadets on Sunday - the uniform change was planned in January. When they did the first run in the new uniform jackets / drop sash / shako in Annapolis I made a comment to George that they looked good, but were a bit of a shock - he said he was over the new look since the prototype jacket had been hanging in his office since April. No Jeff Sacktig was NOT surprised by this change, it had been planned well before spring training. What you don't hear about, and kudos to the sewing crew is that EVERY uniform (guard and corps) had to be altered to have The Cadet fit. They were made to the measurements from spring training, and all the kids have lost weight. The new unis showed up on Tuesday in Annapolis, and were altered and on the field on Thursday - the 7 women in the sewing crew didn't sleep for two days to get it done - amazing.

I asked a PR kid when I was with them on tour if they would do a run for the ageouts. He said that's kind of tough with 55 ageouts. I think there are a bunch of rookouts in PR. Lots of rookies doesn't mean a young corps.

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